Berry Johnson

New Zealand rower (1906–1985)

Doreen Annie Greene

(m. 1934; died 1972)

SportCountryNew ZealandSportRowingClubOtago Rowing Club

Medal record

Men's rowing

Representing New Zealand
British Empire Games
	1930 Hamilton	Coxless Fours

George Berry Melton Johnson (6 March 1906 – 28 August 1985) was a New Zealand rower who represented his country at the 1930 British Empire Games.

Early life and family

Born in Christchurch on 6 March 1906, Johnson was the son of Harry Melton Johnson, a cabinetmaker, and Maggie Smart Johnson (née Mauchlin).^[2]^[3] On 31 March 1934, he married Doreen Annie Greene at Highfield Presbyterian Church, Timaru.^[4]

Rowing

A member of the Otago Rowing Club,^[1] Johnson was a member of the New Zealand coxless four that competed at the 1930 British Empire Games in Hamilton, Ontario.^[5] The crew, which included Vic Olsson, Alex Ross and Charles Saunders, won the bronze medal.^[5]

Later life and death

Johnson worked as an accountant.^[6] During World War II, he served as a second lieutenant with the 3rd Field Regiment, New Zealand Artillery.^[7] His wife died in Dunedin on 20 May 1972.^[8] Johnson himself died in Christchurch on 28 August 1985,^[6] and his ashes were buried at Andersons Bay Cemetery, Dunedin, with those of his wife.^[9]

References

^ ^a ^b ^c "For Empire Games: the oarsmen to get their big opportunity". NZ Truth. 10 April 1930. p. 17. Retrieved 28 May 2017.
^ "Birth search: registration number 1906/11293". Births, deaths & marriages online. Department of Internal Affairs. Retrieved 30 May 2017.
^ "Macdonald dictionary record: Harry Melton Johnson". Canterbury Museum. Retrieved 30 May 2017.
^ "Marriages". The Press. 5 May 1934. p. 1. Retrieved 30 May 2017.
^ ^a ^b "Berry Johnson". New Zealand Olympic Committee. 2016. Retrieved 30 May 2017.
^ ^a ^b "Cemeteries search (cremation): George Berry Melton Johnson". Dunedin City Council. Retrieved 29 May 2017.^{[permanent dead link]}
^ "New Zealand, World War II appointments, promotions, transfers and resignations, 1939–1945". Ancestry.com Operations. 2014. Retrieved 30 May 2017.
^ "Cemeteries search: Doreen Annie Johnson". Dunedin City Council. Retrieved 28 May 2017.^{[permanent dead link]}
^ "Cemeteries search (ashes burial): George Berry Melton Johnson". Dunedin City Council. Retrieved 29 May 2017.^{[permanent dead link]}